SB13-216 Summary

• Establishes eligibility criteria for young adult offenders (ages 18-20 at time of crime, under 21 at sentencing) to be sentenced to the youthful offender system within the Department of Corrections.

• Young adult offenders are eligible for the youthful offender system if convicted of crimes of violence, certain felonies under Article 12, deadly weapon offenses against persons, vehicular homicide/assault, felonious arson, Class 3 felonies with prior juvenile delinquency adjudications, or habitual juvenile offender designations.

• Excludes young adult offenders from youthful offender system sentencing if convicted of Class 1 or Class 2 felonies, sexual offenses, or if previously sentenced to the youthful offender system for any prior conviction.

• Allows an exception for young adult offenders charged with first degree murder who plead guilty to a Class 2 felony to be eligible for youthful offender sentencing if the underlying felony would qualify.

• Requires the Department of Corrections to implement policies by August 20, 2013, complying with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 to protect youthful inmates, with annual reporting to the judiciary committees by October 1st.